"I do hold the Golkar Party card, but I must not side with Golkar alone. I must see what is in the nations best interests. Thats why I express my gratitude to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the Law and Human Rights Minister for their attendance (at the national leadership meeting of Golkar Party)," BJ Habibie said while delivering his address at the meeting here on Saturday night.
Habibie, who was also the countrys third president, believed that the presence of the two ministers at the meeting was at President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)s instructions.
The presence of the two ministers reflects that the government would remain neutral in responding to the conflict within the Golkar Party, he said.
"I have been able to arrive at this conclusion due to the position I have held in the nation's governance. It is impossible for Cabinet members to go on their own accord without the presidents instructions," he said.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasona Laoly attended the meeting, representing President Joko Widodo.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Mahyudin, Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Irman Gusman, Chairman of Perindo Party Hary Tanusoedibjo, Secretary General of Democrat Party Hinca Pandjaitan, House Speaker Ade Komaruddin, President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Sohibul Iman, Chairman of MPR and National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan, and Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Prabowo Subianto.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
